Bought a camper, like I needed another hobby |
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Bought a camper, like I needed another hobby |
Sep 29 2021, 02:02 PM
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#1
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FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,394 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196 |
My wife and I have been camping in a camper we got from her dad earlier this year (I grew up with campers and motor homes, but she hasn't done much camping) and having fun, so we bought a new Winnebago Voyage 2831RB. We love the floor plan and the space, but my truck wishes it was a little lighter. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) The Silverado actually tows it just fine (32' overall, 11.5' tall, 7460 lbs empty), but it doesn't like to run above about 68 mph, or it will start trying to use 3rd gear more often (at like 4k rpm) when we hit a slight grade, etc. The 190 watt solar panel and regulator kit will be here in the next week or so and I'm finding that this may cost more than building cars (once you buy all the stuff you want to go with it). Now I have to sort out why the rear view camera I purchased won't stay paired to the monitor (the camper is pre wired for this particular camera, I set it up and then when we got in the truck it wouldn't work, I have to see if the camera is bad or the wiring in the camper).
I got the car to two autocrosses this year. Otherwise, I only ran about one tank of fuel through it. I'm starting to think I should just sell it, but it was absolutely delightful on the autocross course and I just can't let it go. I'm finding that I'm spending nice nights out camping instead of driving back roads with the top down. I did put new tires on the car this year (street tires) and I think they have 50 miles on them. lol. Here's the one we bought. This is a combination of dealer photos and stock photos. It's generally correct, but I think one or two pics came off the winnebago site. https://www.markwahlbergrv.com/New-Inventor...041676?ref=list Mark Wahlberg RV is right down the road from me. |
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Sep 29 2021, 03:00 PM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 647 Joined: 30-January 15 From: Columbus, OH Member No.: 223,855 |
If they tried to do "smart" RVs they would but that's probably going to have to wait for another time.
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Sep 29 2021, 03:12 PM
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#3
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FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,394 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196 |
That's a huge and gorgeous camper. I grew up with a few campers but moved on once I got to high school. Now that I have a 3.5 year old and a wife that loves to travel (and Covid) it looks like I'll be doing the camper thing again. The bummer is that we found a class B locally that seemed like a great idea until we realized it was only a 2 seater and probably couldn't tow the firebird.... she's been quiet on the camper idea since, but I have a feeling it'll come up again. The prices of these things new has gotten as bad as new cars... at least they shouldn't have the chip shortage problem, right? Thanks, we really like it. We looked at everything (at a pile of dealers all over the area...for months). We found a couple "Alta" campers that were basically twins to this layout and we tried to buy one and it was sold before I got a deposit on it. The Winnebago was the one I wanted, but I didn't want to spend the asking price (or even the discounted price). We actually got a 5 figure discount off of list and then traded in our old camper for a really good total discount. The only negative, it said it has a 100 gallon gray tank (and online, it appears that some do), ours has two tanks. I'm guessing "Covid supplier issues" forced a change when they ran out of tanks, but I'm not sure. A 100 gallon is nice because you can get a couple showers and not have it full right away. Two 50 gallon tanks doesn't help that much. So I'm a little irritated, but overall we love the camper. If they tried to do "smart" RVs they would but that's probably going to have to wait for another time. Some have smart systems that will tell you the levels in the water tanks and deploy the awning and close or open the slide out from your smart phone. It lists the Winnebago Voyage line as being compatible, but I think they mean the "motorhome" versions of the Voyage line and not ours. I don't see any signs of the "router" that handles everything, so I don't think we have it. The only thing I'd use it for is to close the awning if I had it out and a storm was coming (and I wasn't at the camper at the time). I fear I'd open the slide out and hit a tree or something if I wasn't there to spot it. Or i'd close it and crush something inside the camper. So I'm not sure how useful that stuff is. I don't really care how full the tanks are if I'm at the beach. it's only an issue if I'm about to take a shower or something and they are full. lol. I did have to buy a 36 gallon "honey wagon" for some of the places were going that don't have sewer hookups. It's one you can tow behind the truck and haul it over to the dump station. Another one of those great ideas that costs "great idea" money. lol. https://www.camco.net/tote-tanks/rhino-tote...36-gallon-39007 Did I mention that this may be more expensive than cars? |
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Sep 29 2021, 07:35 PM
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#4
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Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,795 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385 |
<SNIP> Did I mention that this may be more expensive than cars? Heh, indeed! We got a 1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge last year, but because of covid, have yet to go anywhere in it. Right now, it's the 'big hole in the shop we pour money into'! Congrats on the new unit. It looks nice. |
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Sep 29 2021, 09:45 PM
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#5
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FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,394 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196 |
<SNIP> Did I mention that this may be more expensive than cars? Heh, indeed! We got a 1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge last year, but because of covid, have yet to go anywhere in it. Right now, it's the 'big hole in the shop we pour money into'! Congrats on the new unit. It looks nice. 1980? Cool! Class A? I'd like to hear more about that one. |
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Sep 30 2021, 07:08 PM
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#6
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Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,277 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331 |
<SNIP> Did I mention that this may be more expensive than cars? Heh, indeed! We got a 1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge last year, but because of covid, have yet to go anywhere in it. Right now, it's the 'big hole in the shop we pour money into'! Congrats on the new unit. It looks nice. 1980? Cool! Class A? I'd like to hear more about that one. 1980 camper, that interior should be... umm... 'something' to see! |
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Oct 2 2021, 07:30 PM
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#7
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Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,795 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385 |
<SNIP> Did I mention that this may be more expensive than cars? Heh, indeed! We got a 1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge last year, but because of covid, have yet to go anywhere in it. Right now, it's the 'big hole in the shop we pour money into'! Congrats on the new unit. It looks nice. 1980? Cool! Class A? I'd like to hear more about that one. 1980 camper, that interior should be... umm... 'something' to see! It's not that bad, but we're fine with the '80's look. We have already reupholstered the captain's chairs and the two barrel chairs that are in it. Next up for the interior is to replace the flooring with all wood. There's a guy up east of Dallas who does flooring on these things, and does excellent work. We'll probably take it to him to redo the interior. Since we got it so we could take the pups with us, getting rid of the carpet is paramount. Here it is parked in it's new home in the shop: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2atMCsdxJDYiP.jpg) Curb side from the for sale ad: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2atMLDnxJDYiP.jpg) Inside looking forward from the galley: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2atML4qxJDYiP.jpg) This was from the for sale ad, before we redid the seats and chairs. And this is the bus with the race car. Our hope is to be able to trailer the race car to out of town events. Covid has put a serious crimp in that plan. Heck, we're not even doing local events right now because of Delta: (IMG:https://media.fotki.com/2v2a3hFJ9xJDYiP.jpg) It has 210 mighty horses of Cat V8 power up front, so while we may not get there in a hurry, we should, at least, get there. 35 feet total length, and 16 tons of road-hugging weight. Since we're not traveling it right now, we're working on fixing things, they always need fixing, and upgrading things. I've replaced almost all of the lights, inside and out, with LED. This afternoon's project is to replace the headlights. I'm also installing a trailer brake controller, and need to find a solution for the trailer plug. It's half-way up the back of the bus, so I either need an extension, or relocate the plug down low. The extension I have is long and heavy, and relocating the plug may require cutting holes in the body, so I'm still working through that decision forest. This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Oct 2 2021, 07:41 PM |
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